Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-09
"A COMMUNITY OF CoACHMEN.
Jehus Who Populate Washington
News and kepel InteriOpers.
From he Ne1p YORK Ere,, ,,,l NJ,

from the Nel0 York EUeaing Sun,
There Is street near Washington
square inhabited exclusively by coach
men. This singular thoroughtare runs
from University place to Fifth avenue,
between Waverley place aud Eighth
street. 1t is called Washington News,
and in many respects affords an interest
ing study to the few strangers who
chance to enter it. The ground floor of
each building is a stable in which aristo-
cratic and naughty looking horses are
luxuriously housed. over most of the
sta bles are dwellings which are at once
dainty and comfortable. The occupants
are nearly all yenerable-a sign of long
and honorable service-and they have
grown to manhood and womanhoOd
as ret2lners of noted and wealthy
families. Evidences OF refined taste are
seen in the aesthetic decorations of the
parlors.
Here in Washington News the upper
ten OF servitors live and flourish. The
west end of W ashington News begins at
L Fifth avenue, and the cOachmeu have
for years sorrOwed over the encroach-
ments of trade upon the sacred confines
of 1.-THE avenue" When tradesmen drove
their masters northward in search Of
quarters free from contamination, some
Those coachmen who remained did not
appreciate their danger until one fiUe
morning the startling announcement
was made that one of the vacant stables,
and the residence thereto attached, had
been rented to an express agency.
In a few days q good-natured but un-
cultivated lrishman, who had never
served any but the common people. moved
IN with his family. THIS Irishman tried
TO be friendly with the neighbors, but the
coachmen knew the duty they owed 10
society, and fatty declined to recognize
the newcomer.
Bitter denunciations of the landlord
who had thus allowed his love OF filthy
lucre to contamlnate whole community
were heard on every side. The tigers and
footmen VINO humbly content themselves
with lodging in neighboring alley were
sympathetic but powerless. The Irish
expressman and his family remain to this
day, and the coachmen can only ignore
the lower caste and augment their own
dignity.
Every day fashionable carriages roll
into Washington News, and naughty
coachmeu descend from the boxes, grace
fully lifting their hats to an admitting
daughter or wife at the lace curtained
window above. Stable boys lead the
teams inside, while the coachman draws
off his gloves and walks upstairs with
great dignity.
According to the rigid social rules of
Washington News, the residents must
not be seen on the street when of duty,
except in strictly civilian costume OF
fashionable design. Every gentleman
who appears in public must wear a
Prince Albert, high silk hat, and kid
gloves. If he is with lady, he should
add cane. At night there is a great deal
of calling in the News, when the coaches
are not out, and every window blazes
with light.
Washington News may not retain all
its oldtime glory; but like the residents
OF Fifth avenue the coachmen are re-
linquishing their exclusiveness with re-
luctance. They are always dignified, and
will never forget Nobisse Oblige.